Aluminum-based hydride anodes and galvanic elements containing aluminum-based hydride anodes

Abstract

A hydride anode containing aluminium of the formula (M 1 ) m (M 2 ) 3−m AlH 6 , where M 1 and M 2 are an alkali element selected independently from one another from Li, Na and K; m is a number between 1 and 3; n is a number ≧3, and galvanic elements, such as lithium batteries, containing as anodes said hydride anodes containing aluminum. Methods for the production of galvanic elements having hydride anodes containing aluminium is also provided.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A galvanic element comprising an aluminum-based hydride anode, a cathode containing a transition metal, and an aprotic lithium electrolyte, wherein the aluminum-based hydride anode in the discharged state comprises a binary or ternary hydride of the formula (M 1 ) m (M 2 ) 3−m AlH 6 , wherein M 1  and M 2  are an alkali element independently selected from Li, Na, and K;
 m is a number between 1 and 3. 
 
     
     
       2. A galvanic element according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of M 1  and M 2  are Li. 
     
     
       3. A galvanic element comprising an aluminum-based hydride anode, a cathode containing a transition metal, and an aprotic lithium electrolyte, wherein the binary or ternary aluminum hydride is Li 3 AlH 6 . 
     
     
       4. A galvanic element according to  claim 1 , wherein a partially or completely lithiated lithium insertion material is a cathode. 
     
     
       5. A galvanic element according to  claim 1 , wherein the lithium insertion material is selected from the group consisting of a lithium metal oxide, a lithiated phosphate, a lithiated silicate and a mixed lithiated fluorometal oxide. 
     
     
       6. A method for producing a lithium battery, wherein an anode containing a binary or ternary metal aluminum hydride of the general formula (M 1 ) m (M 2 ) 3−m AlH 6 +nLi, wherein
 M 1  and M 2  are an alkali element independently selected from Li, Na, and K; 
 m is a number between 1 and 3; and 
 is brought into contact with a partially or completely lithiated lithium insertion material by means of a separator/electrolyte composite. 
 
     
     
       7. A method according to  claim 6 , wherein the lithium insertion material represents a lithium metal oxide, a lithium phosphate, a lithium silicate, or a lithiated fluorometal oxide, or a mixture of the named substance groups. 
     
     
       8. A method according to  claim 6 , wherein an anode containing a mixture of lithium hydride and aluminum metal, an aluminum-lithium alloy, and/or a mixture of the metals aluminum and lithium is brought into contact with a partially or completely delithiated or lithium-free lithium insertion material by means of a separator/electrolyte composite. 
     
     
       9. A method according to  claim 8 , wherein the lithium insertion material is a lithium metal oxide, a lithium phosphate, a lithium silicate, or a lithiated fluorometal oxide, or a mixture of the named substance groups. 
     
     
       10. A negative electrode composition for a galvanic element, wherein the negative electrode composition in the discharged state contains or is composed of a binary or ternary aluminum hydride of the formula (M 1 ) m (M 2 ) 3−m AlH 6 , wherein M 1  and M 2  are an alkali element independently selected from Li, Na, and K;
 m is a number between 1 and 3; and 
 n is a number ≧3. 
 
     
     
       11. A negative electrode composition according to  claim 10 , wherein the binary or ternary aluminum hydride is Li 3 AlH 6 . 
     
     
       12. A negative electrode composition according to  claim 10 , wherein the negative electrode composition in the charged state contains or is composed of lithium hydride and aluminum metal. 
     
     
       13. A negative electrode composition according to  claim 10 , wherein the negative electrode composition contains conductivity-enhancing additives, for example graphite or conductive carbon black.